Image source, Reuters

We can bring you more now on the phone call that the five European leaders had with US President Donald Trump earlier in Kyiv.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky describes the call as "positive and concrete" in a post on X., external

"We share a common view: an immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire is needed for at least 30 days," he says in a post, adding they proposed it begins on Monday but they're "waiting for Russia's response".

"Once the ceasefire begins, there will be the best moment for diplomacy," he says. "Ukraine is ready for meetings and negotiations in any format."

France's President Emmanuel Macron and UK's Prime Minister Keir Starmer also posted on social media about the phone call.

Macron says the ceasefire would pave the way for a "solid and lasting peace in Ukraine", external, while Starmer says "space must be created for talks on a just and lasting peace in Ukraine"., external

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed leaders from France, Germany, Poland, and the UK today and spoke to the world's media.

Here's a look at their day so far:

Image source, Reuters

Image source, PA Media

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Earlier, the leaders of the UK, France, Germany and Poland warned Putin that refusing to agree to a 30-day ceasefire would result in a new wave of sanctions against Russia.

But the Kremlin has now dismissed the threat, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov saying that Ukraine's allies won't be able to "isolate" Moscow.

"It is very difficult to isolate a country like Russia because we take a very large part of the globe. But this is not the main thing," Peskov says.

"The main thing is that Russia actively develops relations with a large number of countries in all directions where they have interest in developing cooperation with our country. And we will continue doing so."

Image source, Reuters

That was a very fast-paced press conference from the five European leaders - here's a run-down of what they said:

• Starmer said Europe is "calling out" Russia's President Vladimir Putin, who now has the chance to show he is "serious about peace" by turning the VE Day pause into a 30-day unconditional truce
• He added that Ukraine's allies will take action should Putin ignore their proposal - hinting at "new and massive sanctions" and spending more to help Ukraine's defence
• Germany's Friedrich Merz said almost all members of the so-called coalition of the willing are determined to impose sanctions if the ceasefire fails, with Poland's Donald Tusk adding that current sanctions were working
• France's President Emmanuel Macron said Ukraine is the "beating heart of Europe", adding discussions on potential deployment are ongoing
• Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said he has "no illusions" the ceasefire won't be breached but agreement on a ceasefire with Kyiv's allies is "an important step"

Stick with us as we bring you more developments.

We can now bring you some reaction from Moscow to the latest remarks from European leaders.

In the last few moments the Kremlin says statements made by European countries have a "confrontational" character, according to Russian news agency Interfax.

"We hear many contradictory statements from Europe. They are generally confrontational in nature rather than aimed at trying to revive our relations. Nothing more," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying.

Image source, Reuters

Zelensky is now speaking, repeating that achieving a ceasefire is the main goal, adding: "First that, then everything else."

He talks about the idea of a buffer zone, saying everybody is looking into options on "what to do with Ukraine".

The leaders then step away from the lecterns and shake hands, talking with each other before walking away from the media.

Image source, Reuters

Zelensky is now asked if Ukraine would be ready to redeploy forces from the front line, and Starmer is asked if there are any developments he can share on deploying troops to Ukraine.

Macron starts answering the question, saying "this is work-in-progress".

The French president continues, saying that once the ceasefire is agreed, there are a "number of steps we're working on", which includes strengthening Ukraine's army.

"It will all depend on Russia's response to our proposal and then we will work on the most efficient solution," he says, adding it is "too early" to say what the most efficient solution is.

Keir Starmer answers the question next and says there are two aspects to the "coalition of the willing".

The first is politics, with countries now reaching complete unity. The second is military planning, which is being carried out to help Ukraine defend itself. He adds that he is also looking at contingencies for the sea, air and land, as well as what the mandate will be in case of a ceasefire.

He says what’s important is to get to a ceasefire first, and today is the most comprehensive step the countries have taken in three years.

France's Emmanuel Macron is asked if they have discussed the potential deployment of European troops,

The French president says statements from a Russian spokesperson came ahead of their meeting today.

As a reminder, earlier today Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov said Ukraine’s allies must stop sending weapons to Ukraine before any ceasefire can happen

Macron says there is "unanimity" among "some 20 countries" now. He goes on to say they are waiting for Russia's response to the 30-day ceasefire proposal.

On deployment, he says there were discussions between military leaders and they will continue.

Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky is asked about the resumption of military equipment from the US. He says Ukraine has signed a "very good deal" with the US and that Ukraine can count on US businesses to support them.

He also praises Trump for not stopping aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, saying this is important for Ukraine to defend its skies. He adds Trump did not stop sanctions on Russia, and he continues to count on his support.

Frank Gardner
Security correspondent in Kyiv

Image source, Reuters

Sign up to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire or face ‘new and massive’ sanctions on your banking and energy sectors, as well as increased military aid to Ukraine.

That’s the message delivered to Russia today by leaders of the UK, France, Germany and Poland as they met Ukraine’s President Zelensky, in a gesture of European unity and solidarity.

After a virtual meeting of the so-called 'coalition of the willing’ – those countries and organisations prepared to ensure Ukraine’s post-war security – the leaders held a phone call with President Trump.

They then held a press conference, where they demand a comprehensive 30-day ceasefire begins on Monday.

"This is Europe stepping up," Keir Starmer said. "All of us are calling Putin out. If he’s serious about peace then he has a chance to show it now."

Russia has so far insisted that - before considering the US-proposed 30-day ceasefire - the West must first halt its military aid to Ukraine, something likely to be an unacceptable precondition.

The key question now is what President Trump does next.

Is he really running out of patience with Putin’s intransigence and will he impose threatened sanctions? Or will he throw the Russian President a lifeline and cut a deal, over the heads of Ukraine and its friends in Europe?

ITV now asks Starmer if he thinks Russia's President Vladimir Putin wants peace and, if not, why does he think sanctions on Russia will work?

"There's only one country that started this illegal conflict and that was Russia and there's only one country that stands between peace and that's Russia," Starmer says.

He says the unity between countries on the matter of an unconditional ceasefire is the "greatest" we've ever had.

Earlier, a German reporter asked Zelensky if he had discussed the delivery of Taurus missiles to Ukraine with Chancellor Merz.

Zelensky says they’ve discussed strengthening Ukraine’s defences.

The media are now asking questions.

One journalist asks how fast members of the so-called 'coalition of the willing' can adopt new sanctions, if Russia does not agree to a ceasefire.

Donald Tusk says the current sanctions are working, adding that "if it weren't for sanctions, the situation would be comparably worse".

"Russia is actively waiting for sanctions to be lifted," he says.

We're now hearing from Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who describes it as "symbolic" that the decision to have a ceasefire was made in Kyiv - which has suffered many "bombardments".

Tusk says they will wait for Russia’s reaction, adding that no one will doubt who stands for peace if the ceasefire proposal is ignored by Moscow.

The news conference now moves on to questions from the media.

Image source, PA Media

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is now speaking and says, if Russia rejects the ceasefire, they will keep defending Ukraine and continue to increase pressure on Russia.

He adds, almost all members of the EU and the so-called coalition of the willing are determined to impose sanctions if the ceasefire fails.

Earlier, he said he wants to send a message of their "determination" to end the war between Ukraine and Russia "as soon as possible".

Starmer continues speaking at the press conference in Kyiv.

He says the five European leaders in Kyiv are clear. If Putin turns his back on peace, they will respond, including increasing sanctions and spending more to help Ukraine's defence, Starmer says.

He adds the UK wants to help Ukraine look to the future with confidence, aiming to boost its economy with the help of UK experts.

Starmer is now speaking, saying that we stand with Ukraine to get the "just and lasting peace" that it "deserves".

"All of us here, together with the US are calling Putin out," he says.

Starmer adds that, if the Russian leader is "serious about peace", he has the "chance to show it now" by extending the VE Day pause in fighting to a 30-day unconditional ceasefire with negotiations to follow.

"No ifs, not buts," Starmer adds.

Macron says Zelensky agreed to a 30-day ceasefire in Jeddah, and US President Donald Trump repeated his support two days ago.

Macron adds that there is now stronger international backing, and the ceasefire would cover sea, land and air.

He also says that if the ceasefire is broken, major sanctions will be prepared and coordinated between European countries and the US.

Image source, Reuters

France's President Emmanuel Macron says he is "pleased" to stand with the Ukrainian people and their President Volodymyr Zelensky.

He says that today, Ukraine is the "beating heart of Europe" with its efforts to fight for freedom.

Macron continues, saying that the "future of our principles and collective security" are "at stake", adding that that is the reason why he is supporting Ukraine.

We're now hearing from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders who have gathered in Kyiv for peace talks.

Stay with us as we bring you all the key updates.

Image source, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

Donald Trump's special envoy to Ukraine has just posted on X backing the call for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine.

Keith Kellogg retweeted an earlier group photo of European leaders with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.

He writes: "A comprehensive (air, land, sea, infrastructure) ceasefire for 30 days will start the process for ending the largest and longest war in Europe since World War II.

" As [President Trump] has repeatedly said, stop the killing now."

Henry Zeffman
Chief political correspondent

Ukraine has hosted a virtual meeting of the ‘coalition of the willing’, a group of predominantly European nations who want to support Ukraine if a ceasefire with Russia is agreed.

The meeting was hosted from the Presidential Palace in Kyiv, with President Zelensky.

Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, Donald Tusk and Friedrich Merz were present in person and other leaders joined by video call.

Those who joined included Giorgia Meloni of Italy, Mark Carney of Canada, the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, and Mark Rutte, the secretary-general of Nato.

The group agreed to call for a 30-day ceasefire beginning on Monday, originally a US proposal. It was following that meeting that the phone call between President Trump and the leaders present in Kyiv took place.